BIOSPHERE RESERVES
- Biosphere Reserves (BRs) are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems which are internationally recognized within the framework of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme of the UNESCO.
- The world’s major ecosystem types and landscapes are represented in this network, which is devoted to conserving biological diversity, promoting research and monitoring as well as seeking to provide models of sustainable development.
- These reserves are rich in biological and cultural diversity and encompass unique features of exceptionally pristine nature.
- Out of the 18 Biosphere Reserves designated nationally, so far 9 Biosphere Reserves have been included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
Under the scheme on the Biodiversity Conservation, there are two main subcomponents namely biodiversity and biosafety.
- The Bio-diversity Component includes activities relating to
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- Support to National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
- The Bio-safety Component includes activities relating to
- Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
- Issues relating to Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee
- THE BIO-DIVERSITY COMPONENT
CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
- The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is one of the key agreements adopted during the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
- The three objectives of the CBD are: conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources.
- Pursuant to the ratification of the CBD by India on 18 February 1994, several steps were initiated to meet the commitments under the Convention. These efforts were aimed at bringing the legislative, administrative and policy regimes in tune with the three-fold objectives of the CBD.
- India enacted the Biological Diversity Act in 2002 to give effect to the provisions of this Convention. Under this Act, a National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was set up in October 2003 in Chennai.
- In 2000, a Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) was adopted under the aegis of the CBD. The objective of CPB is to ensure safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology. India is a party to the CBD as well as CPB.
- Thereafter a Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) was adopted in 2010 after six years of intense negotiations under the aegis of CBD. The objective of this protocol is the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.
